“About time,” I say, squeezing her shoulder. “We’ve been waiting for you to realize you’re a badass.”
She laughs, and the sound is lighter than I’ve ever heard from her. Like she’s finally breathing freely after holding her breath for years.
The sanctuary’s runes flicker as we approach the main building, the protective wards seeming uncertain. But Bree doesn’t even notice, just stretches like she’s coming home after a long journey.
In the common area, she settles onto the couch with easy grace while the rest of us hover around like we’re not sure what to do with this new reality.
“So,” I say, breaking the silence because someone has to. “She came back to us. That’s all we need to know.”
“Back from where?” Theo asks quietly. “Rhett said she was gone, but she was just in the chamber.”
“I was always in the chamber,” Bree says simply. “I just… found myself there.”
The explanation should feel inadequate. Should raise more questions than it answers. But looking at her—really looking—I see someone who’s finally comfortable in her own skin. Someone who’s stopped apologizing for taking up space.
Even if she feels a little different, isn’t this what we all wanted? Bree, but stronger? Bree, but unafraid?
“The important thing is that you’re safe,” I say firmly, catching each of their gazes in turn. “Whatever happened in that chamber, she came through it. She came through it better.”
Rhett’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t argue. Gray’s still watching her with those calculating eyes. Wes just looks relieved that she’s here, whatever version of here this is.
“I’m tired,” she says, standing smoothly. “It’s been a long night.”
“Do you want company?” The offer slips out before I can think about it, and I realize I mean it. Not in any way that would pressure her, just… I don’t want her to be alone. Not after everything.
She considers this with a tilt of her head that’s somehow both familiar and foreign. “Actually, yes. I think I’d like that.”
The others exchange glances that I pretend not to see. Let them have their doubts. Let them overthink every word and gesture.
All I know is that for the first time since I’ve known her, Bree Holloway looks at me without a trace of fear. Without walls or barriers or the careful distance she’s always maintained.
And I’ll fight anyone who tries to take that away from her.
“Lead the way,” I tell her, ignoring the weight of the others’ stares.
Because sometimes, when someone you love finally finds their strength, you don’t question the gift. You just hold onto it and refuse to let go.
Chapter 3
Thane
I watch them disappear down the hallway toward her bedroom—Jace’s arm wrapped around her shoulders like she’s something precious he’s afraid of losing. His voice carries back to us, bright with relief and determination to celebrate whatever just happened.
The rest of us remain in the common room, none of us quite ready to disperse.
Because we all felt it. The wrongness that clings to the air like smoke.
I’ve lived long enough to recognize the scent of power unleashed without understanding. The electric charge that comes when ancient things wake up and start paying attention. Whatever happened in that chamber, it wasn’t the simple ritual Jace wants to believe it was.
“Anyone else notice her Ether looked different?” I ask, finally giving voice to what we’re all thinking.
The question hangs between us for a moment before Rhett nods grimly. “Black with silver running through it.”
“I saw it too,” Gray says quietly, his sharp eyes still fixed on the path they took. There’s something conflicted in his expression, like he’s fighting between relief and unease.
I study each of their faces in turn. Rhett’s jaw is tight with the kind of frustrated protectiveness that usually leads to him punching something. Wes looks pale, one hand pressed to his stomach—thehunger is clearly gnawing at him, but there’s something else there too. Fear, maybe. Or recognition.
And Gray… Gray’s watching the space where she stood like he’s trying to decide if he’s seeing a ghost.
